LAHORE, Feb 5: The Hamdard Thinkers Forum which represents intellectuals has expressed its grave concern over the impending attack on Iraq and urged the international community to seek some other ways in resolving the crisis.

The demand was made at the monthly forum meeting which was presided over by S.M. Zafar at the Hamdard Centre here on Wednesday.

After a thorough discussion, a resolution was adopted which urged the government to convene an emergency session of the National Assembly to deliberate upon the Iraqi situation.

In the event of a war it should discuss the possibility of evolving a joint strategy by all political parties of the assembly. The special session should be followed by a general session for the debate by the members.

The resolution also advised Pakistan to abstain from voting on any resolution on Iraq war which might be moved in the UN Security Council by America and Britain. In case of resolution seeking the vote for a war then Pakistan should not support it unconditionally but it should express its reservations which could best be determined by the national assembly.

The forum expressed its complete solidarity and sympathy with the people of Iraq who would be the victim of impending war on their country.

The forum further observed that Pakistan as a nation must exercise great care and learn a lesson from similar situations happened in the past. The people should also forge unity, strengthen the democracy and take decisions by mutual consensus.

It also laid emphasis upon acquiring the latest knowledge in the field of science and technology, particularly in information technology enabling the country to compete with the developed nations.

Former Punjab University vice-chancellor Dr Rafiq Ahmad, S.M. Zafar, journalist Irshad Haqqani, Ismael Qureishi advocate, Dr Miskeen Hijazi, Engineer Salimullah Khan, columnist Adeeb Javidani, educationist Ms Dr A.R. Chaudhry, Brig Zafar Iqbal (retired) and others were also present on the occasion.